Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1887-12-07
TOBOGGANING.
The Most Healthful and Exciting
Of Al Cold Weather
Amusements.
Some Practical Suggestions - to
How to Construct .
Slide.
The Game Of Racquets, and How It
Is Played Preparing Z
Racquet.

Is Played Preparing =
Racquet.Ceurt.
ESPECIAL CHICAGO CoRREsPoNDENcE.1
Winter il now fairly upon us, and around
the shipping and receiving doors Of the big
sporting goods establishments Of Chicago
are piled great stacks-not Of base-ball
bats, make, balls, gloves, and other para
phernalia Of the diamond, but Of tobog-
Rans, bob-sleds, gymnasium sppaxatus,
cases Of ice and roller skates, eases of
xAFn s1e bs,lljsHaalt. Aned Canadian
wool blankets, fof nh4hslf6ct6fe lx1-
to toboRgan costumes, piles Of
snowsboes and crates of racquet bats,
and all other appliances necessary to in
and out door winter sports.
II the weather is favorable throughout
the Northwest this winter, the indications
are that winter sports will be more gener-
ally indulged in this year than ever before.
Among outdoor sports, tobogganing and
ice skating will of course take the prefer
ence.
The manager Of the Chicago house Of
Spalding & Bros, who probably handle the
largest number Of toboggans and ice skates
Of any sporting goods house in the
country, remarked to an inquirer
the other day that where their
house alone sold over $500 toboggans last
year and material for nearly 5000 oos-
tunes, they expected that the demand
this year would be almost double these
figures. Inquiries are being received daily
as to the cost of toboggans and toboggan
outfits, and the cost Of erecting slides.
From present indications it il safe to say
more slides in operation in every populous
town in the Northwest. 1t 10 an easy mat
ter for thirty or forty young people to get
together, form . club, and contrib.
ute $40 or SIS apiece toward
the construction of slide and
the purchase Of q score Of star toboggans.
Judging from the manner in which the
young people of Chicago have gene into
the sport already, they expect to receive
their full share Of fun for the expense in
Cured. And why not? An excellent arti-
fetal slide can be erected for from $3.50 to
$3.50, and the lumber can always be con-
verted to other uses after the season closes,
or can be stored away for construction when
another season begins. Where natural
slides exist, this expense of course need
500 more, and costumes can be purchased
or made at home with such expense a. the
owner can afford. When this has been
done the sport to be enjoyed upon the
torch lighted and ice sheeted run ways,
or by the rays of q full moon when score
or more of rosy checked and brilliantly
costumed couples are out for slide in the
crisp, cold air, can only be fully under
stood when participated in. OF course q
regulation toboggan costume is not really
necessary to the enjoyment Of this pastime
of the Canadians. but when q tobogganist
Of either sex is properly costumed
they can enjoy the sport with
much more zest and satisfaction.
Then, too, IT is the brilliant coiurs of the
costumes that add SC much to the life and
beauty of the scene when slide is in full
blast. Through the courtesy Of large
sporting goods house in this city the other
day the writer saw some Of the most beau
tiful shades Of Canadian toboggan blankets
ever shipped into this country for the pur-
pose. The combinations Of color were
beautiful, and the leaning will this year
be more than ever to brilliant, solid. and
combination colors. For gentlemen the
costume consists usually Of blouse with
q frock which covers the hips and
buttons tightly down the front, knee
breeches, warm woolen stockings and moe
casins, the head being covered by toque
of the same brilliant hue az the sash, which
is wrapped around the waist, the tasseled
end falling over the left hip. For ladies
the costume consists Of long cloak but
toning down the front, and confined by .
sash like that wern by her escort, mocca-
sins, and toque. Every article Of these
costumes is fashioned from the WOODEN
blankets referred 70, and is made with as
much skill in cut and finish % the art of
the tailor can command.
As to the work Of putting up slide, the
method OF construction Is very cheap,
simple and strong but care should be taken
that the braces and floor beams and posts
are thoroughly we'll spiked together. By
boarding up around the pests of the lower
part of the level part Of the platform, q
large room will be afforded, at slight adj
ditionsl cnst, which may be kept warm. il
desired. and afford means Of shelter OF
place for refreshments, - we'll - 70 afford
place for the club to store their articles
under lock and key. In ordinarily fayora-
BILE localities the cost ought not to exceed
built upon the ice during the carnival in
Burlington In the winter Of 1885 cost
the sum Of $l75, complete. At cost Of
$3.50 club OF Afty members, subscribing
SIS each, weuld do the work. And then, BY
selling special privilege badges or ticketa
to visitors not members Of the club at q
fixed price on certain days, the ordinary
running expenses could be met without
further assessment Of members. These
practical suggestions are given for tho benz
eft Of such OF our readers who have con-
templated entering into tho sport thin
winter.
Another form Of winter sport which Chi.
cagcans have taken hold OF In earnest thil
season 10 .aat Of racquets, and whom one
has participated in . single game they BE-
come, ~ . rule, enthusiastic admirers Of
it. month ago Capt. Anson, the big cap.
management Of the cnly racquet couri
there was in the city 1t that time. II stands
on Michigan avenue, and il easily accessi-
BILE by club men, Board Of Trade men,
and the wealthy young bloeds Of the city
who have become regular frsquenters ct
the court since it opened.
Many readers will ask, what h racquet7'
for the game has never been very exten-
sively played IN this country. It i similar
| to the old game Of hand ball, only thai
the ball il smaller and harder than hand
ball, and 10 struck with . bat something
like Q tennis racquet. Dut longer handled,
| The game is played in An inclossd court.
| the regulation court being about thirty 4vl
| feet long, twenty feet vide, and Twenty-Five
feet high; the walls and hooTs Of solid
skylight in the ceiling. The ruleo Of hand.
| ball apply to the game Of Tsequet, and N
exercise that -young man oI WOMAN CO..
| indulge In is more beneficial in svesy way
! OF course il 10 not necessary 70 conatsuct
reoulation court To onioy fho anHne